At GlobeSailor, anticipation is building for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where the sailing events are set to captivate audiences with four thrilling competitions, including the exciting additions of windsurfer – iQFoil and kiteboarding. While Olympic sailing traces its roots back to Paris in 1900, it wasn’t until 1988 that women’s competitions made their debut. As International Women’s Day draws near, let’s shine a spotlight on the remarkable women competing in this year’s Olympic Games.
Great Britain
Freya Black
English sailor Freya Black will make her Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 games, competing in the 49erFX. At just 22 years of age, she will represent team GB with Saskia Tidey. After placing fifth in the Sailing World Championships in The Hague, the two qualified for their country. The Turnbridge Wells sailor is hoping for a podium finish in Marseille this summer!
© Robert Hajduk / World Sailing
Saskia Tidey
Saskia Tidey is no stranger to the podium, winning an array of medals in the 49erFX class. She previously sailed for Ireland and came 12th at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Following this Olympics, she switched to team GB, qualifying through her father. She partnered up with Freya Black in late 2021 and the formidable duo will be hoping for medals. She will be competing in her third Olympics this year and hoping to join Black on the podium.
Image credit: British Sailing Team
Emma Wilson
Emma Wilson is a star in the iQFOiL windsurfing discipline, taking after her mother, a two-time Olympian. She has been successful in sailing from a young age, winning her first title at just 12 years of age, the U15 Techno 293 World Championships. The Dorset windsurfer won a bronze medal at the Toyko 2020 Olympic games. She narrowly missed out on a gold medal in the world championships last year, due to a 5 second penalty. Emma is a serious contender for the Olympic gold medal, winning second position at the Olympic tester event in Marseille.
© Sailing Energy
Eleanor Aldridge
Previously a dinghy sailor, Aldridge switched to kitefoil in 2018 and participated in her maiden European Championships a year later. By 2021, she had won a medal in the World Championship. She won silver in both the August World Championships and the July 2023 Olympic test event, establishing herself as a consistent challenger at the top of major events. She won the 2023 Formula Kite European Championship in Portsmouth, capping off an incredible year.
© Pedro Martinez/ Sailing Energy
Anna Burnet
Anna Burnet, alongside John Gimson, won the Nacra 17 at the 2016 team event and later secured silver at the 2020 Olympics. Their 2018 Kiel Week gold medal earned them this Olympic qualification. Notable victories include silver in the Olympic test event, World Cup Final, and 2019 European Championships, along with the 2020 Nacra 17 World Championship. Following a second world title in 2021 and a silver in 2023, the pair are in a great position for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
© Sailing Energy/ World Sailing
United States
Dominique Stater
Dominique Stater began kitesurfing when she was just 13 years old, before making the switch to windsurfing. She has been the US Open Series Champion on numerous occasions, winning Miami, San Francisco and Long Beach in 2022, as well as Miami in 2023. In the 2018 Youth Olympic games in Argentina, she came 12th. In 2022, she won the bronze medal at the 2022 South American Championships in Brazil. She will be hoping to make her mark at the 2024 Olympic Games in the competitive iQFOiL event.
© Szymon Sikora/ World Sailing
Ireland
Eve McMahon
At just 19 years of age, Eve McMahon, has etched her name on the world sailing stage. Coming from Howth Yacht Club, McMahon is the youngest ever Irish sailor to qualify for an Olympic regatta. Last October, she claimed the title of world u21 champion in the single-handed dinghy competition. In 2022, she won three gold medals internationally to end her underage career, as well as winning ‘Irish Sailor of the Year’. Her olympic journey began at the ILCA 6 World Championships in Australia, where she qualified with a race to spare. The young athlete will be hoping to make her mark at this years olympics.
Image credit: Matias Capizano
Australia
Breiana Whitehead
Breiana Whitehead will fly the flag for Australia in the 2024 Olympic Games. She has made her mark in history as the first ever kitefoil sailor to earn a spot on the Australian Olympic Team. She secured her place on the team after a stellar performance at the Sailing World Championships held in the Hague, the Netherlands last August, placing 11th. She will hope to move up the rankings at this years Olympics.
© Beau Outteridge
As we eagerly await the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the excitement for the sailing competitions is palpable. From seasoned professionals to emerging talents, each athlete brings their own unique story to the waters of Marseille. As we honour International Women’s Day, let’s support these incredible women as they pursue their Olympic dreams.
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